Boutique store opens in Jackson

Those who enjoy boutique shops in Jackson may be pleased to learn their options expanded with the opening of Chic 'n Little Boutique.

The shop, at 2370 N. High St., Suite 5, sells handmade products such as hair bows, personalized jewelry, custom children's clothing, birthday hats, bow holders, coat racks, diaper bags and purses.

Chic 'n Little Boutique also offers specials for members of its Facebook group.

The idea for the shop was hatched two years ago. Heather Probst began making hair bows for her daughter and soon began receiving requests from others in the area to do the same for their children. She expanded her operation to include online sales and craft shows.

Probst said demand from her customers warranted the recent opening of Chic 'n Little Boutique, which shares space with Rebecca Moore's Photography.

The shop is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The phone number is 587-6006.

* Bloomin' Balloons relocates: Owner Tammy Burford said Bloomin' Balloons and Flowers moved from 835 N. Kingshighway to 28 N. Pacific St. on April 6. Burford said the move allows her to hold weddings, anniversary and birthday celebrations in the gardens behind the business and increases the space for her operation from 800 to 2,000 square feet.

"I hope it boosts my sales," Burford said. "I'm looking to get into more wedding work. In the floral industry, if you don't do weddings or funerals, you can't make it by offering mainly floral arrangements."

Bloomin' Balloons and Flowers is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday. The phone number is 651-0001.

* Tattoo business opens on Independence: Another tattoo parlor has opened in Cape Girardeau. The new business, 4 Aces Tattoos, 208 Independence St., is open by appointment only on Tuesdays, 1 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, 1 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday. The business can be reached at 339-1899.

* Mollie's now open for lunch: Mollie's Cafe has expanded its hours to include lunch. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. They're also open for dinner 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The restaurant is at 11 S. Spanish St. and can be reached at 339-1661.

* Cape travel agency opens: Cynthia Schutt has opened Tailored Travel Inc. at 4 S. Pacific St. in Cape Girardeau. This is the third Tailored Travel agency, which also has locations in Omaha, Neb., and Ankeny, Iowa. Tailored Travel has been in operation for 10 years.

Schutt said they're a preferred agency with Funjet and Apple vacations. They also work with all major cruise lines. There is an Ireland specialist and a destination wedding specialist on staff.

She plans to have three agents in the store. Tailored Travel is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday and by appointment only Sunday. The business can be reached at 651-3149 or 866-501-9345.

* Cape Chamber schedules workshops: The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce is hosting a session on "Doing Business With Local Major Accounts" from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday. The cost is $15 and includes a continental breakfast.

Representatives from government and major employers will be on hand to explain their purchasing processes and to answer questions. Seating is limited and interested individuals are asked to call 335-3312.

* Town Hall of Hope scheduled: On Thursday night some area churches will host a simulcast of financial personality Dave Ramsey. The Town Hall for Hope will begin at 7 p.m. The town-hall-style gathering will be broadcast through the Internet to thousands of locations free of charge.

Among the churches hosting the event are Maple United Methodist Church, Bethel Assembly of God, LaCroix Church and Lynwood Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau, Fruitland Community Church in Jackson, Tanner Street Church of God in Sikeston, Mo., and First Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Anna, Ill. More may be added.

"The spirit of the Great American Business is what truly defines this country," said Ramsey, whose financial seminars have been presented in several churches in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois. "This is an opportunity for business owners to support a message of hope and encourage the consumer to believe again."

For more information, visit townhallforhope.com.

* Innovation Center graduates 14: The Southeast Missouri State University's Innovation Center recently had 14 people graduate from its small business training program. Students completing the class were from Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Pemiscot, Scott and Stoddard counties. The course, known as Operation Jump-Start, is a partnership with the Workforce Investment Board of Southeast Missouri.

Operation Jump-Start is a national training model delivered for those contemplating starting or expanding a small business. The six-week course teaches participants business planning and preparation skills with non-academic, practical training. Since the Innovation Center began offering the program, more than 600 individuals have started more than 250 small businesses. Individuals compete for start-up funds of up to $5,000 after completing training and a feasibility plan.

"Southeast Missouri employees have suffered a great deal with recent layoffs," said Scott Sattler, manager of business and industry for the Workforce Investment Board. "The free course provided an opportunity to give those laid-off or dislocated another alternative to conventional employment."

Bill Vickery, entrepreneurial training director of the Innovation Center and director of Southeast's Small Business Development Center, said the partnership with the Workforce Investment Board is about "providing entrepreneurship education and offering assistance to individuals that might have had some pretty large obstacles thrown into their paths lately."

* Jackson educators honored: The Jackson Chamber of Commerce recently honored several educators in the city. The 2009 Educators of the Year were honored at a banquet at the Knights of Columbus Hall. They were Joan Howard, Jackson Orchard Drive Elementary; Ella Kathleen Schmid, Jackson Orchard Drive Elementary; Michael Martin, grades 6-9, Jackson Middle School; Christine Warren, Jackson High School; and Leah Shaw, St Paul Lutheran School.

* Photo galleries online: If you've attended a business event such as First Friday Coffee or Jackson Business After Hours, chances are the event's photo gallery is on our website. I attend many of these gatherings, mingling and taking a few pictures of your smiling faces. You can access photo galleries on our business page at semissourian.com/business.

Southeast Missourian business editor Brian Blackwell may be reached at 388-3628 or bblackwell@semissourian.com.;